Page 78 of Fanged Desire
“I – what?” I stammered, my heart pounding as adrenaline still coursed through my veins. “Who are you?”
“Maxine.” She introduced herself, bobbing into a curtsey. “I’m a good friend of your partner in crime.”
“Huh?” I stared at her, my mind spinning. “Hunter sent you?”
She grinned wider, showing off perfect, slightly pointed teeth. “Not exactly. But I heard through the grapevine that she might need a little backup tonight.”
She gestured to the guard on the floor with a casual flick of her wrist. “And judging by the state of things, I’d say I was right.”
I blinked at her, still trying to catch up. “But how did you even–”
She cut me off, leaning in conspiratorially. “Your little evidence wall, darling. It helped me piece things togetherandclear poor Hunter’s name. She owes you big time for that, by the way.”
My stomach churned at her words. “I don’t understand–”
Maxine waved a manicured hand. “Long story. We can chat about it over coffee when all of this is over.”
Her grin softened and she tilted her head, curled locks bunching on her shoulders. “She really does care about you, you know.”
“I – I know,” I mumbled, unsure what else to say to that. “Wait. Are you a vamp–”
“All right, enough chit-chat!” Maxine cut me off, flashing me a pointedly fanged smile and a subtle wink. “Let’s get your sister and the rest of these poor folks out of here, shall we?”
I stared at her, my mind scrambling to piece everything together. Maxine was a vampire, just like Hunter. Her eyes met mine and I saw the faintest flicker of something there – awarning. She didn’t want the others to know. Not the humans, not Penelope.
I got the message loud and clear and quickly shut my mouth.
I didn’t know where Maxine had come from or why she was there, but at that moment none of it mattered. She’d knocked out the guard, and she was willing to help. That was enough for me.
I crouched down and picked up the baton the guard had dropped, gripping the solid weight in my hands. Turning to Maxine, I nodded once. “All right. Let’s get these people to safety.”
“Atta girl.” Maxine slung an arm over my shoulders, nearly forcing me to my knees considering she was two heads shorter than me and disproportionately strong for her size.
“I knew I’d like you.”
Chapter 27
Hunter
“Dear Hunter. What trouble have you gotten yourself into now?”
I stiffened immediately, hackles raised, and turned, ever so slowly.
The mask he wore couldn’t hide the sharp angles of his face or the shock of crimson hair cascading down his shoulders. Coal-black eyes glinted with something that might have been amusement.
Elliot. Elf bastard.
I bristled, my instincts telling me to prepare for a fight, and I bit out, “What are you doing here?”
Elliot’s smirk widened. “Oh, Hunter. I never imagined you could be so hostile. I should be the one asking you that question. You’re far from your usual circles, aren’t you?”
“Don’t play games with me,” I snapped, lowering my voice to avoid drawing attention, though my fangs were already probingpast my lips. “I should have known you’d be working with Cathy–”
“Ready for a brawl?” Elliot interrupted, arching a brow. “I wouldn’t bother. I’ve already brought backup.”
I narrowed my eyes, claws elongating and ready to slash. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
A sudden crash, followed by a high-pitched shriek, had me turning again, my attention snapping to a commotion near the entrance. A voice called out – a familiar one – and a shock of red hair gleamed in the light of the chandeliers.
